Erik ten Hag needs to find replacements for Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund in the Manchester United lineup against Fulham.
Manchester United will look to extend their winning run when they welcome Fulham to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. And Erik ten Hag has new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Luke Shaw has aggravated his hamstring issue, which will likely rule him out until the end of the season. Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund has picked up a muscle injury that will keep him on the sidelines for a couple of weeks.
The duo has joined Lisandro Martinez (knee), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (knock), Mason Mount (calf), and Anthony Martial (groin) in the treatment room. Erik ten Hag discussed Hojlund’s injury during his pre-match press conference.
The Manchester United boss said on Hojlund, “It is a small injury, two to three weeks. That is what happens and the risk [when you are] playing at high intensity, training. As I say it is not a big injury, but he has to wait for one, two, three weeks.”
Elaborating on his squad’s injury crisis, he said, “Yeah of course that is an issue, but that is also the same at other clubs. We have to deal with this. now have the feeling we can [better deal with it] than we did back in autumn. But still it is an issue when the depth of the squad have to prove it.”
Marcus Rashford should start as the central striker for Manchester United in Hojlund’s absence, with Antony returning to the starting lineup. The Brazilian international will join Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho in the final third. Bruno Fernandes will reprise his usual no. 10 role, with Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro pairing up in the double pivot in the middle of the park.
As for the defensive unit, Victor Lindelof should replace Luke Shaw as the left-back, considering Wan-Bissaka and Malacia are unavailable. The Swedish international will join Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, and Diogo Dalot in the backline. Finally, Andre Onana will retain his spot between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof; Casemiro, Mainoo; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford
